Westlake special needs students participate in Jazzercise class

WESTLAKE, Ohio – All kids benefit from exercise and physical activity, but for children with special needs, it can be a challenge. Westlake High School special needs students are not only taking on the challenge, but they love every minute of their weekly workouts.

Westlake City SchoolsStudents enjoy exercise class.

Every Wednesday afternoon, Rachel Kane's students participate in a Jazzercise class, regardless of their abilities. Angela Siciliano has been a Jazzercise instructor for almost nine years, offering aerobics classes for special needs students and their families at the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities Parma Developmental Center. When she came to Westlake High School as a special education assistant this year, Kane asked her if she would offer a class once a week for her special needs students. Siciliano offers a 30-minute modified version of a normal 60-minute class.

According to Kane, she has witnessed children who are non-responsive in most other settings suddenly kicking their feet, moving their heads or just smiling when they hear the music. Some participate in the workouts from their wheelchairs or use adaptive equipment, while more mobile students do all the moves right along with Siciliano. The students are excited about the aerobics class and some have added the word 'Jazzercise' to their vocabulary.

"They never have a bad day," Sicilano said. "They come to class and enjoy it every single time."

Other Westlake High School students have joined in on the fun, many giving up their study halls, to join the class and interact with their special needs peers.

Sophomore Elizabeth Mancuso helped out last year when her special needs peers used the school weight room, so she decided to continue helping out this year with the aerobics class.

Freshman Leah Hemphill also helps out, too. "I have a lot of fun and love all the kids," she said.

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